Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

Ague TreeCinnamonwoodSaloipSassafrasSaxifraxSmelling-stick

Sassafras is a plant whose virtues are almost uniformly praised
by modern herbalists. A tea prepared from the root bark of this
native American tree, Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees of the family
Lauraceae, is widely recommended as a spring tonic and "blood
thinner." The root bark was being used to treat fevers by the natives
of Florida prior to 1512 and formed one of the earliest exports of the
New World. It still enjoys a considerable reputation as a stimulant,
antispasmodic, sudorific (sweat producer), depurative ("purifier")
and as treatment for rheumatism, skin diseases,
syphilis, typhus,
dropsy (fluid accumulation), and so on.

Much of the persistent reputation of sassafras may no doubt be attributed to
its pleasant taste and aroma. Sassafras contains up to 9% of a
volatile oil which, in turn, consists of about 80% safrole. For years
it was a valued flavoring agent in root beer and similar beverages.
But as a result of research conducted in the early 1960s, safrole was
recognized as a carcinogenic agent in rats and mice. Sassafras
bark, sassafras oil, and safrole are now prohibited by the FDA from
use as flavors or food additives.

Unfortunately, sassafras continues to be collected, used, sold, and
written about as an herbal remedy. No one really knows just how
harmful it is to human beings, but it has been estimated that one cup
of strong sassafras tea could contain as much as 200 mg of safrole,
more than four times the minimal amount believed hazardous to
man if consumed on a regular basis.

Some manufacturers, recognizing the attractive flavor and aroma
of sassafras, have attempted to overcome its toxicity by preparing a
safrole-free extract of the root bark. Such efforts were probably
doomed to failure from the start since safrole is the major
component responsible for the desirable odor and taste of the plant.
However, an even more serious drawback has been revealed. Recent
studies have shown that even safrole-free sassafras produced
tumors in two-thirds of the animals treated with it. Apparently other
constituents in addition to safrole are responsible for part of the root bark's
carcinogenic activity.

An overriding consideration in this entire matter of the safety and efficacy
of sassafras is that the plant material has no really significant medical or
therapeutic utility. Sassafras oil, in common with a large number of volatile
oils, does possess some mild counterirritant properties on external application,
but beyond these, none of the claims of its supporters has been documented in
the modern medical literature. In spite of its pleasant flavor and its folkloric
reputation as a useful tonic, prudent people will avoid this medication because of
its potentially harmful qualities.

PARTS USED

Root bark.

USES

Sassafras is used primarily in skin problems such as
eczema and psoriasis. As
another aspect of its undoubted systemic activity, sassafras may be used with
benefit in the treatment of rheumatism and gout. As a diaphoretic sassafras may be used in fevers
and systemic infections. Sassafras has a disinfectant action and makes a
valuable mouthwash and dentifrice. Sassafras acts as a specific
to combat head lice and other body infestations.

Sassafras root bark was long considered a
virtual cure-all, but only its effectiveness in
relieving intestinal gas and as a diuretic have been
substantiated. Because of the designation as
"unsafe," the bark is no longer sold or used
commercially, nor should it be used by anyone.

When the Spanish arrived in Florida in the
early 16th century, they mistook the fragrant
sassafras for a cinnamon tree, an error still
perpetuated in one of the tree's common
names. The local Indians used the bark of its
roots to treat fevers and rheumatism, and as a
general tonic and "blood purifier"-a medicine that by causing urination and sweating
cleanses the blood of "impurities" once
thought to cause a range of ailments from skin
diseases to malaria. Word of sassafras's amazing curative powers reached Europe, and for a
time it became a major colonial export, second
only to tobacco. The Europeans also discovered sassafras tea, and it soon became a fashionable beverage. A growing (but unjustified)
reputation as a cure for syphilis cost sassafras
its respectability, however, and as a result, its
economic importance.

An oil extracted from the tree remained in use
as an antiseptic for dentistry and as a flavoring
for toothpastes, root beer, and chewing gum
until the early 1960's. At that time the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration declared that the
chemical compound safrole, found in the oil of
the root bark, was a potential carcinogen.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Sassafras is native of eastern North America; sassafras is found from Ontario south to Florida and
Texas and as far west as Missouri.

CONSTITUENTS

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 - 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and
leave to infuse for 10 - 15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Oil: The oil of Sassafras should be used for the external
treatment of lice and never taken internally.
Tincture: take 1 - 2 ml of the tincture three times a day.

COLLECTION AND HARVESTING

The root is unearthed to gather this herb, which grows over large areas of North America.